TWD: Allspice Crumb Muffins

I saw this on the baking roster for TWD and knew I wanted to make them. But for some reason, my brain doesn't turn on until late Monday or Tuesday to remind me that...um...Tuesday with Dorie is due...and you have done nothing! Thank heavens that the latest recipes have been simple and I can make them last minute! Like these muffins!

I've actually been on a muffin kick lately, maybe its because I am pregnant and look forward to breakfast and this breaks me out of my cereal routine. Plus, skipping any type of meal/snack is no longer an option. (Not that I would ever skip a meal anyway!)

These come together in literally minutes (I made them while I was in the middle of making homemade rolls so they take little effort, and time). I was a bit concerned with the butter content. There is a TON of butter. And for a muffin, I would like to see something a bit on the lighter side. I heard about a few of the other bakers using yogurt as a substitute--and I am thinking I may have to adopt that for next time. I stuck to the exact recipe for this one, minus the lemon zest because someone must have stolen all my lemons!

BUT- these muffins are over the top GOOD! I took one bite and was in heaven. Moist cake, crunchy caramelized top. This is a true treat and I bet would taste wonderful with tea.

A big thank you to Kayte from Grandma's Kitchen Table for hosting this week. You can visit her page for the recipe. Don't forget to check out all the other bakers from TWD that bake every Tuesday from Dorie Greenspan's book: "Baking From My Home to Yours"--they are always creative and changing up the recipe which is nice for a variation or two. It also looks like Ms. Dorie herself even baked with us this week--what a treat!

Next weeks TWD: Sweet Potato Biscuits!

TWD: Savory Corn and Pepper Muffins

This week’s TWD was Savory Corn and Pepper Muffins, chosen by Rebecca of Ezra Pound Cake. If you would like the recipe, you will have to meander over to her page to take a look see.

To be honest, I made these because they looked easy, not necessarily because I wanted to try them. (And yes...these were very easy) I used to love corn muffins and muffins altogether when I was a kid, but for some reason, these days they aren’t my fave. I am not sure why. Maybe it's because I am so used to cakes that I really prefer a moist crumb.

So I decided I would knock off my second week for TWD with these muffins in the event my life became so insanely busy that I didn’t have time to do the other weeks (for someone who is unemployed at the moment…I chuckle, but believe me folks…I am busy. HA!)

Anyhew! I went with all the other TWD’ers and made a pot of chili with these and ate them yesterday for lunch.

I was a little skeptical because I have never made a muffin with peppers, let alone a jalapeño!! But I was pleasantly surprised with the sweet undertones from the sugar. I myself am not a Southerner (only by my grandparents roots could I be considered one) so I prefer the sugar in my muffins. I think its probably really an 'expectation' thing. When I think muffin, I think sweet. I really enjoyed this muffin, especially with my chili! It was so delicious, I had 2.

My homemade chili and TWD Savory Corn and Pepper Muffin, YUM!

I didn’t find these dry at all and that is probably because of the buttermilk, something I require to bake with in my cakes because I think it makes them so much moister.

I will definitely make these again, I loved them!

Muffin with my smart balance butter. lol, have to cut somewhere!

Dry ingredients. I used dry buttermilk, so that is the extra 'dry' you are seeing.

Adding the liquids in...

Look at these colors! You would think it was summer in this arctic chill of winter in Michigan!

Ready for the muffin tins!

Ready for the oven

Yum!